Fire Damage Remediation - The Most Common Factor of Home Fires
Home fires are a frightening thing, and they occur more regularly than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has listed that more than 300,000 houses in America come across fire damage in a year. Along with these statistics, businesses like Paul Davis have supplied fire damage remediation services for many properties. The risk of a house fire shouldn't be disregarded, and that's why it's important to understand what the most common causes of house fires are. For your preparation, we've assembled a category of the most common causes of house fires.
Cooking
Cooking is one of the most common causes of house fires, and a fire typically happens when the stove is isn't being watched. Many fire clean up services have been required because of unattended cooking. If you need to exit the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to keep an eye on the cooking.
Appliances Using Electricity
Electrical appliances, such as coffee makers and microwaves should be watched after and put in areas that aren't risky. If any of your electrical devices have a bad cord, then they are a fire hazard. Another thing to recognize is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Candles Left Burning
Candles are delightful materials to have around the home. They look great and make your home smell nice, but they are also a major risk for fire. Keep your candles away from likely fire hazards such as books, papers and curtains, and always make sure the wick isn't burning when you leave the room.
Cigarettes in Your House
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for years, considering they can keep burning for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a major problem on your hands. Leaving your house to smoke is an excellent idea to avert an accident from occurring.
Electrical Problems Bad Wiring
Residences with defective wiring produce electrical issues which can lead to a house fire. Bad wiring is problematic because you can't always see it, but here are some things to watch out for:
- Your lights dim when another appliance is in use
- You have to disconnect something in order for an appliance to work
- Your circuit trips frequently
If this is the case for you, fix the problem and get an electrician or contact your landlord.
Barbecues
Having a barbecue may be a main part of your home, and they're a wonderful thing to have during the summer months. However, make sure it's not close to your home or any plants and trees. Also, have it cleaned and maintained frequently, because the buildup that collects in your barbecue can be a fire risk. Additionally, you should check the gas bottle regularly for leaks or other possible issues.
Children's Curiosity
Fire is enticing for the curiosity of a child, and that's why it's important to take every precaution. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an emergency from occurring. Take added precautions and make sure your children understand how to exit the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Liquids That Are Combustible
When you're storing your liquids, always check the label to make sure the substance isn't flammable, otherwise don't keep them next to a heat source.
Christmas Trees During the Winter
Every winter, holiday cheer is brought into the home through Christmas trees along with a probable house fire. If you have a live tree, you should cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree is able to soak up water. You should also be earnest about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. Before going to sleep for the night, check to see that your Christmas lights are turned off too. You could favor getting an artificial tree to avoid a fire hazard.
Laundry Machines
Fires produced from dryers are quite common, and that's why it's necessary to keep them clean. To prevent your home from needing fire remediation services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct consistently because lint can get trapped in there often.
Preventing Fire Damage
It's impossible to get rid of all potential fire hazards, but knowing the most frequent causes of house fires can eliminate your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your house, don't hesitate to call a professional that provides fire remediation services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your house restored back to where it was before.
